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2016 update

February 2016

Bentley is with Paul Mascard at SCSW for replacement of an elbow in the fuel return pipe, removing slack from the ignition switch and rectification of the erratic cruise control. As I write, the cruise control ECU has been sent off for diagnosis and rebuild as required. The car's odometer reached 120,000 miles on the way to SCSW.

March 2016

Needless to say, the cruise control ECU was diagnosed as faulty and has been replaced with a rebuilt unit. Cruise now works as it should - somewhat to the detriment of my bank balance but, heigh ho! No one ever said that Bentley motoring is light on the wallet.

June 2016

A very small drip of fuel from mid-way between the front and rear wheels was traced to the fuel filter, which had corroded badly. This was replaced, together with its supply pipe, which had welded itself immovably to the filter body.

Another overview to update the one I wrote in 2012:

Year    Miles   mpg
2008441113.1
2009356615.9
2010386814.9
2011275814.7
2012313715.2
YearMiles  mpg
2013277114.8
2014271014.9
2015321415.3
2016186915.6 (to July)
Overall28,30414.9
The engine still consumes about a quart of oil between changes. The tyres, replaced 12,000 miles ago in 2012 are still good and wearing evenly; I expect to replace them late next year.

Servicing costs have been about £1100 per year. Rectification costs have been much greater at £4600 pa; in fairness, this is weighted heavily towards the first 3 years of my ownership, when I was playing "catch-up" with what seems to have been a degree of prior neglect.

September 2016

Oops! I spoke too soon. MoT revealed unacceptable corrosion in the front sub-frame. Further examination revealed this to be extensive, requiring replacement of the entire sub-frame. The upside of this is that a good secondhand subframe came complete with new front disks, calipers and steering rack and nearly-new bushes, which has improved the ride, handling and braking. New rear engine moutings were also fitted. The downside was cost, which has increased the average annual rectification cost (above) to £5500.

On collecting the car, the driver's seat/mirror ECU was misbehaving, so we swapped it with the passenger seat ECU and sent it off for re-fettling (see March 2015). This was refitted in November; meanwhile, the passenger seat adjustment remained inoperative.

November 2016